After multiple months of scouring the market for a second baseman, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Logan Forsythe on Monday, sending Jose De Leon to the Tampa Bay Rays. Forsythe has one year remaining on his deal, plus a club option (and buyout) for 2018.
He not only fills the Dodgers’ need at second base, but also figures to factor into their quest to improve against left-handed pitching. This marks the second time Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has traded for Forsythe.
He first acquired him from the San Diego Padres as part of a seven-player trade in January 2014. While Friedman made the jump to Los Angeles after the 2014 season, Forsythe spent the past three seasons playing alongside Rays third baseman and franchise cornerstone Evan Longoria.
The 31-year-old, who himself has been the subject of trade speculation involving the Dodgers, expressed his dismay over Forsythe being dealt, via Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times:
#Rays Longoria on Forsythe deal: "I'm surprised and upset at losing a player, clubhouse presence and friend like Logan. He's a rare player''
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) January 24, 2017
Forsythe hit .264/.333/.444 with 24 doubles, 20 home runs, 52 RBI and a 113 OPS+ in 567 plate appearances last season. He set career highs in triples (four), home runs and runs scored (76) while serving as the Rays’ primary leadoff hitter.
In 124 plate appearances against left-handed pitching, Forsythe batted .270/.315/.461 with six doubles, two triples, four home runs and 14 RBI.
